O'Reilly eyes World Cup tattoo as England left-back targets glory in New York

Nico O’Reilly has revealed he is considering getting a World Cup tattoo if he can help England lift the trophy in New York on 19 July, with the Manchester City left-back already establishing himself as one of Thomas Tuchel’s first-choice picks at the 2026 tournament.

O’Reilly started England’s opening 4-2 victory over Croatia and is expected to retain his place for the group-stage clash with Ghana in Boston. The 20-year-old told reporters: “Maybe a World Cup one. It’s a dream to play at a World Cup. If we win it’ll be something that sticks with me forever.”

The defender already carries a collection of meaningful ink, including the Manchester phone code — 0161 — on his left arm as a reminder of where he came from. Another tattoo reads “no risk, no story”, a motto he says shapes his approach on and off the pitch.

“For me personally, I just like to risk,” O’Reilly explained. “I think if you don’t risk and you don’t take the chance, then you never know what’s going to happen.”

His appetite for high-stakes football is backed by results. O’Reilly scored both goals in Manchester City’s Carabao Cup final win over Arsenal, and he insists the biggest occasions bring out the best in him.

“I love a big occasion,” he said. “I think it brings more out of me when I am stepping up to the bigger stages and I like playing under pressure. I feel like I thrive off it and just enjoy it.”

With England progressing through the group stage and O’Reilly firmly in Tuchel’s plans, the left-back will have every opportunity to earn the piece of art he has in mind.